|
Only have a minute? Listen instead
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Dr. Hamzah M. Saei, Vascular Neurologist
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States and the 5th leading cause of death. Strokes are subcategorized as ischemic vs. hemorrhagic. Rather than discussing the pathology of a stroke or differentiating the two, the focus should be on preventative measures as they are both quite similar. May is stroke awareness month, where heavy campaigning aims to recognize stroke symptoms early. The acronym BEFAST, for balance, eyesight, face, arm, speech, time to call 911, has been used repeatedly for the past several years with some success. However, this month, we would like to promote prevention as our priority.
Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol are some of the most common and prevalent pathologies seen in the Rio Grande Valley. These silent killers lead to various complications, from neuropathy, renal disease to heart disease and stroke. Managing the underlying illness and assuring medication adherence and compliance will significantly reduce the risk of stroke. Other preventative measures that need to be practiced are a healthy diet and exercise. At Rio Grande Regional Hospital (RGRH), we strive to provide complete stroke care and education. Our goal is to assure that every patient who has suffered a stroke or TIA understands the root cause. Understanding is the key to prevention.
Rio Grande Regional Hospital prides itself on putting patients first. The stroke program was built with that in mind. No two strokes are the same; no two patients are the same. We tailor the care for each patient to provide the best possible outcome for our patients and their families. Our quality of care includes a multidisciplinary approach that consists of emergency room physicians, vascular trained neurologists available 24-7, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, and an excellent rehabilitation team. To learn more about the Stroke Program, visit RioHealth.com.
